System and method for managing windows

Abstract

Graphical objects are used to set the relationships between a plurality of windows presented on a system display. The window relationships can be set by performing operations on the graphical objects, for instance, by selection by mouse click. Further, the relationships can be represented by changes in the display mode of the graphical objects. Thus, the invention enables the user to freely set the relationships between a plurality of windows and easily understand the relationships.

We claim: 
     
       1. A system for managing windows comprising: a display means;   a means for concurrently displaying a plurality of windows and a plurality of graphical objects on the display screen of said display means, each of the graphical objects associated with a respective one of the plurality of windows;   a means for setting a set of relationships between the windows according to operations on the graphical objects; and,   a means for changing the display mode of each of the graphical objects to depict which of the plurality of windows are related to its respective window.   
     
     
       2. The system for managing windows as recited in claim 1 wherein the plurality of windows are displayed in a fixed arrangement without overlapping each other. 
     
     
       3. The system for managing windows as recited in claim 2 wherein the plurality of windows are displayed within a parent window. 
     
     
       4. The system for managing windows as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the graphical objects is displayed in its respective window. 
     
     
       5. The system for managing windows as recited in claim 1 wherein the graphical objects are displayed close to their respective windows. 
     
     
       6. The system for managing windows are recited in claim 1 wherein each of the graphical objects comprise a plurality of button representations respectively corresponding to the plurality of windows, the plurality of button representations being arranged in the arrangement of the plurality of windows. 
     
     
       7. The system for managing windows as recited in claim 6 wherein the relationship setting means sets up relationships between the window corresponding to a graphical object upon which user operations have been performed and other windows on the button representations. 
     
     
       8. A method for managing windows comprising the steps of: concurrently displaying a plurality of windows and a plurality of graphical objects on a display screen of a display means, each graphical object corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of windows;   setting a relationship between selected ones of the plurality of windows according to operations on the graphical objects; and,   changing the display mode of the graphical objects according to the relationship which have been set between selected ones of said plurality of windows.   
     
     
       9. A computer program product for managing windows executable by a computer comprising: program code means for displaying a plurality of windows   and a plurality of graphical objects on a display screen of a display means each graphical object corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of windows;   program code means for setting a relationship between selected ones of the plurality of windows according to the operations of said graphical objects; and,   program code means for changing the display mode of said graphical objects according to the relationships which have been set between its respective window and others of the said plurality of windows.   
     
     
       10. A database system comprising: a display means;   a means for displaying a plurality of windows and a plurality of graphical objects on a display screen of a display means each of which corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of windows;   a storage means for storing information;   a means for respectively setting a set of views of said plurality of windows;   a means for displaying the information in the plurality of windows according to the set of views;   a means for operating the graphical objects to set up a master-slave relationship between the windows; and,   a means for changing the display mode of each of the graphical objects according to, the relationship of its respective window and others of the plurality of windows   wherein according to a data instance specifying operation in a master window, the display contents of a slave window are changed to display a set of attributes of a specified data instance.   
     
     
       11. A system for managing windows comprising; means for concurrently displaying a plurality of windows and a graphical object associated with a single window in the plurality of windows on a display;   means for setting a relationship between the single window and other windows in the plurality of windows according to operations on the graphical object; and   means for changing the display of the graphical object according to the relationship of the single window and the other windows.   
     
     
       12. The system as recited in claim 11 wherein the graphical object is displayed to resemble the arrangement of the plurality of windows on the display. 
     
     
       13. The system as recited in claim 12 wherein the relationship setting means sets a relationship between the single window and a window which corresponds in spatial arrangement within the plurality of windows to an operated portion of the graphical object. 
     
     
       14. A method for managing windows comprising: concurrently displaying a plurality of windows and a graphical object associated with a single window in the plurality of windows on a display;   setting a relationships between the single window and other windows in the plurality of windows according to operations on the graphical object; and   changing the display of the graphical object according to the relationship of the single window and the other windows.   
     
     
       15. The method as recited in claim 14 wherein the graphical object is displayed to resemble the arrangement of the plurality of windows on the display. 
     
     
       16. The method as recited in claim 15 wherein the relationship setting means sets a relationship between the single window and a window which corresponds in spatial arrangement within the plurality of windows to an operated portion of the graphical object.